Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Documentary prompts calls for overhaul of zoo licensing
A giraffe with an injury at South Lakes Safari Zoo. Image (C) Born Free Foundation.

‘Trouble at the zoo’ highlights problems at South Lakes Safari Zoo

International wildlife organisation Born Free has reiterated its call for an overhaul of zoo licensing and inspections.

The call follows a BBC2 documentary, Trouble at the Zoo, which revealed a host of incidents at South Lakes Safari Zoo following its takeover by new management. The incidents included unreported deaths, animals being poisoned and a lack of participation in unrecognised breeding programmes.

Born Free president and co-founder Will Travers said the events call into question whether the new management is up to the task and if the government’s zoo licensing regime is fit for purpose.

“All zoos receive their operating licence from the local authority in which they are located," he said. "The withdrawal of such a licence and the consequent closure of a zoo - with the loss of jobs and revenue to the local community - may represent a conflict of interest and make taking necessary action - such as withdrawing a zoo licence - by a local authority far harder.

“The question of what to do with the animals in the event of zoo closure - also a responsibility of the local authority - is likely to be a further disincentive to resolute but difficult decisions."

He continued: “As always, there are victims when things are allowed to go wrong. In this case the 486 animals who died between December 2013 and September 2016, but also the keepers who, in many cases, have tried their best under the circumstances. It is the owners of the zoo and the local authority who must explain themselves and accept the consequences of their action or inaction.”

In 2017, an inspection revealed that almost 500 animals had died at South Lakes Safari Zoo in just four years. As such, zoo founder David Gill was refused a licence to run the zoo and the Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd took over.

‘Trouble at the Zoo’ followed South Lakes Safari Zoo as it tried to rebuild its reputation. However, it showed upsetting footage of animal deaths - including a lion and two red panda cubs - and the feeding of animals with food deemed not fit for human consumption.

Nero the lion died last July after eating meat that was contaminated with barbiturate poison. Two months after Nero’s death, however, it appeared that the zoo was still ordering meat from the same supplier.

Flocking to Twitter, viewers recognised the hard work and dedication of the keepers. But many had concerns that the zoo was putting profit over animal welfare:

Matryoshka said: “Watching Trouble at the Zoo it was hard to see any redeeming features of the senior staff, who are running the place like a dodgy garage. The few dedicated keepers and beautiful animals living there deserve better.”

Michael Apter said: ‘This Trouble At The Zoo documentary on @BBCTwo is a devastating example of absolutely incompetent, selfish people being given responsibility for something far beyond their capacity and capability. @barrowcouncil should be ashamed they gave them another chance.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.